A-Level Art and Design

A-Level Art and Design is a fascinating and rewarding subject that allows you to use your imagination and creativity, whilst acquiring a range of skills, abilities and directions in art as you engage with the world in a visual and tactile way. The multi-faceted nature of the subject allows you to explore an endless array of processes such as drawing, painting, printmaking, photographic imagery, 3D construction and mixed media.

Artistic skill underpins every creative practice. We will help you to develop practical skills whilst encouraging expression and exploring your personal creativity. The goal is to progress onto creative courses at Art Colleges across the UK and internationally. You will gain a background of study in various disciplines including Art & Design, Photography, Textiles, Fashion, Design, New Media and Architecture, so a wide range of degree courses will be open to you.

The Creative Arts industries make a significant and culturally highly important social contribution to the fabric of our country and the UK economy – accounting for 7.9% of GDP, a figure that is growing significantly faster than the economy as a whole. Career paths in art and design can include becoming a professional artist, a graphic, web, textiles or fashion designer, a photographer or architect. There is also the possibility of becoming an illustrator, an exhibition curator, or working in gallery education.

Our A-Level Art and Design course follows the AQA specifications.

During the first part of the academic year you will explore a variety of materials, processes and techniques, whilst simultaneously building on your contextual knowledge. These new skills will act as a foundation for the second part of the academic year, where you will draw upon previous learning experiences to devise your own project. Throughout this creative journey you will be guided by our experienced and supportive teachers who will draw on a variety of teaching methods in order to help you achieve your potential.

Assessment

Assessment is via a combination of practical and written work. In component 1, students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme of their choosing. In component 2, students will respond to a stimulus provided by the examining body.

Due to the diverse nature of Art, it complements many subjects offered at Abbey College Cambridge because it often contains elements of them. For example, A-Level English Literature, A-Level Physics, A-Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, and A-Level History are endless resources that artists the world over have drawn upon to inspire their work.

Recent destinations of our A-Level Art and Design graduates include:

Instituto Marangoni London to study Fine Art

Courtauld Institute of Art to study History of Art

University of Edinburgh to study Accounting and Finance